Species
Mahi-Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Also known as common dolphinfish · dolphin · dorado
Tier 2Eating9/10medium tackleNSWQLDWANT
25 waypoints70–130 cm (max 200 cm) typical
Regulations
NSWbag 10QLD50 cm min · bag 10
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | — | 10 |
| QLD | 50 cm min | 10 |
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about mahi-mahi
Blue-water acrobat (also called dolphinfish) found offshore along most of warm-water Australia. Most reliably caught around FADs, current lines and floating structure off NSW, QLD and WA in summer. Targeted with skirts, stickbaits and pilchard baits — fast-growing and excellent eating.
Biology: Mahi-Mahi size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Offshore, Pelagic
- Typical size
- 70–130 cm (max 200 cm)
- Weight
- 3–10 kg (max 40 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–80 m
- Diet
- flyingfish, squid, small baitfish
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Pantropical and subtropical
How to target: Mahi-Mahi angling strategies
Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- small skirts and bibless minnows trolled around FADs and floating debris
- stickbaits and soft plastics cast at sighted fish under flotsam
- live yakkas pitched at fish following the boat
- fly with 10wt and large baitfish patterns under FAD shadows
Best season: when to catch mahi-mahi in Australia
- NSW
- Nov-May (offshore FADs)
- QLD
- year-round
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Safety & handling
Bleed quickly and ice — colours fade rapidly post-capture.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught mahi-mahi
No mahi-mahi catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: mahi-mahi fishing spots in Australia
Queensland14
- Cape Moreton CanyonsCanyon · QLD-27.00°
- Capricorn Coast FADBait Ground · QLD-23.15°
- Deep Tempest Reef off Cape MoretonReef · QLD-27.12°
- Gold Coast FADBait Ground · QLD-28.15°
- HeavenCanyon · QLD-26.92°
- Mermaid Beach Artificial ReefReef · QLD-28.05°
- Middle North Reef off NoosaReef · QLD-26.28°
- Mooloolaba WideReef · QLD-26.60°
- Noosa CanyonsCanyon · QLD-26.42°
- Northern Noosa CanyonsCanyon · QLD-26.27°
- Palm Beach Artificial ReefReef · QLD-28.12°
- Southern grounds of Cape Moreton CanyonsCanyon · QLD-27.05°
- Sunshine Coast FADBait Ground · QLD-26.68°
- The Dog LegCanyon · QLD-26.67°
New South Wales7
Western Australia3
Victoria1
More information: mahi-mahi references & sources
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